Rent Increase

Rent increase under Saudi law is raising the rent value agreed upon in an active contract — occurring in specific cases: at contract renewal after original period expiration, mid-period if an explicit clause allows it, or by mutual agreement amending the contract via Ejar. In the city of Riyadh, **rent may not be increased** in existing or new residential and commercial leases for 5 years from 25 September 2025, and a vacant unit’s rent may not exceed its last lease (Royal Decree M/73). Outside Riyadh, **no statutory cap exists on increases**; the matter is left to contractual freedom and market logic. An increase only takes effect if the lessee expressly accepts it. Any mid-contract increase requires explicit lessee approval and documentation as an amendment in Ejar. Outside Riyadh, a renewal increase is made through a rent-adjustment request on Ejar at least 90 days before the lease ends; if the lessee accepts, the lease renews at the new value, and if the lessee refuses, automatic renewal is cancelled and this counts as notice of non-renewal. The lessor has no right to raise rent implicitly or retroactively, and any increase not documented in Ejar is invalid.